MINOR CHANGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 December 1943, Page 4

MINOR CHANGES

ON THE FIGHTING FRONTS ADMITTED BY JAPANESE PREMIER. PROMISE OF “DEVASTATING ATTACKS.” (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. 11.40 a.m.) NEW YORK, December 27. The Allies have been bolstering their air strength in China, Burma and the north-western sector of Australia with more than 500 planes a month since October, said the Japanese Premier (General Tojo), in an address to the Diet, which is quoted by the Tokio official radio. General Tojo added: “In view of the great importance of the air operations in China, the Imperial Army has' resolved to execute devastating attacks on enemy air strength and completely to annihilate it, in order to make our defence complete.” General Tojo said the Japanese Army and Navy were firmly maintaining and consolidating their strategic offensive positions throughout all the operaitng areas, although there had been some minor changes in certain sectors. “Allied counter-attacks have become serious.” he said, “and fierce fighting is raging on various fronts. The Imperial Army is now engaging the enemy in the Solomons, the Bismartks and Eastern New Guinea. Sea transport is the only means of supply in the SouthWest Pacific, and Japanese vessels are ferrying troops and supplies under cover of night. The situation in New Britain is assuming the character of a supply war.”